Eels secure 5th spot as Broncos capitulate

Parramatta Eels have shown everyone today that they are ready for Finals football as they dealt the Broncos their heaviest ever defeat, demolishing them by 68-22 in front of a full house at Parramatta Stadium.

An amazing 13 tries to the home side, as the Eels unleashed their fury in the second half, meant the Brisbane Broncos would be travelling to Melbourne next weekend with the Eels flying over to Auckland for a Friday night match against the Warriors.

The Eels scored early in the match sending out the warning bells however the Broncos hit back almost straight away and looked dangerous as they took a 16-6 lead in just 10 minutes.

However no-one could foretell what was about to happen as the Eels set sail continuously to their tryline.

The halftime score of 34-16 impressive as the Parramatta side scored 28 unanswered points by the break.

A tiring Brisbane unit hit back early in the second half however as injuries and weariness took their toll on the visitors, the Eels went from strength to strength and with 5 players all on 2 tries, the battle was on for the hat-trick, with Inu winning the race.

An impressive Round 25 match by the Eels and they will be brimming with confidence as they head to Auckland for Game 1 of the finals.

The Broncos will need to recover both in body and mind befor they face the Minor Premiers in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

Leagueunlimited Live commentary
Second to last game of Round 25, and we still don't know who will play the Top 4 teams. This game is so important for the two teams involved. What a competition it has been in 2007!

Sunny conditions for the game this afternoon at Parramatta. Teams as per programme.

1 min: Broncos kick off

3 min: Steady start by the two teams. Carroll gives away the 1st penalty of the match with a high shot on Inu.

4 min: Perry penalised for another high shot. A bit of a scuffle begins. Back to back penalties, and the Eels are 12 metres out from their line.

8 min: Both teams making mistakes as the nerves take time to settle. 1st penalty in the game for the Broncos.

9 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Following the penalty, the ball is spread wide as the Eels players come in off their line. A good finish by Michaels. Conversion unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 6-4

11 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Soft defence by the Eels from the kick off and Hodges splits the forwards with ease to score. Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Brisbane Broncos 10-6

15 min: Another penalty to the Broncos and suddenly they're hot on attack 25 metres out from their line. 3rd tackle checked by the video ref for grounding across the line.

16 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
No try ruled on the 3rd tackle, so the Broncos score on the 4th. Nice little kick thru for Hodges to score his 2nd of the afternoon. Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Brisbane Broncos 16-6

20 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The Eels finally have some set possession and make the most of it. Lovely pass to Hayne who steps well and scores by the posts. Conversion attempt by Tim Smith successful.
Brisbane Broncos 16-12

24 min: Emmett absolutely bombs a certain try for the Broncos as he looks to celebrate before he grounded the ball.

26 min: A kickable penalty for the Eels but choose to run it. The momentum has swung their way at this stage.

27 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
A perfect high kick by Finch for Inu, who looked to be limping minutes ago, and the Eels even up the score. Conversion attempt by Jarryd Hayne unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 20-16

37 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
A mistake by the Broncos close to their line proves expensive as the Eels set sail for their own line with a couple of great offloads, and Grothe gets the spoils. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Parramatta Eels 28-16

39 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Tahu scores his 100th career try as the Broncos are sent sprawling by some mighty fine ball play by the Eels. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Parramatta Eels 34-16

HALFTIME: A real try fest in the 1st half of this match. The home side with 28 unanswered points, lead the Broncos 34-16 at the break.

41 min: Hodges looked to be limping in the dressing room but is on the field. The Eels kick off in the all important second half.

42 min: Early penalty to the Broncos, Hodges helps get the ball to the line but is now limping badly. Line dropout Broncos.

45 min: The Broncos looked lethargic on attack but finally Thorn stretches out and the video umpire is needed.

45 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Good defence by the Eels the Broncos head towards their line. Finally a little gap and Thorn takes advantage to stretch out and score. Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Parramatta Eels 34-22

47 min: Hodges off at this stage with a corked thigh.

49 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Passing by the Broncos looking relaxed and Tahu pounces on an intercept 40 metres out from the line and scores. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Parramatta Eels 40-22

52 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The game has busted open as the crowd goes wild. Smith started it, and finishes it. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Parramatta Eels 46-22

57 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Tim Smith fires a long pass out to Inu who was lonely out on the wing. Once again the tiring Broncos defence is blown apart. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 50-22

62 min: Carroll went the bench after injuring his shoulder in a try saving tackle, however has returned to the game as the tiring Broncos struggle with the pace of the game.

68 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
A couple of very flat passes as the Eels carve up the footy field to send warning signs Auckland's way. Great team work by the home side. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Parramatta Eels 60-22

72 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Tim Smith is in total control as once again the Broncos struggle to keep the rampaging Eels at bay. Great ball to Mateo to score. Conversion attempt by Ian Hindmarsh unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 64-22

75 min: Rare attacking ball for the Broncos in this half, and the Eels defence is in their faces, forcing the error. Carroll has succumbed to his injury and is off the field.

80 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
A mistake by the Broncos on attack, and away go the Eels once more. Some individual brilliance by Inu to dummy the defence and score a hat-trick to finish off a superb game by the Eels. Conversion attempt by Timana Tahu unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 68-22

FULLTIME: The Eels have sent out the signals loud and clear as they ran riot over the Broncos in the 2nd half to seal the 5th spot on the table.